“(John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.' ") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:15-16
Jesus counted equality with God a thing not to be grasped but emptied Himself and became a servant (Philippians 2:6-7), that we of His fullness might receive grace. He came to do God's will (Hebrews 10:5-7).
Think of the implications of this glorious truth. We no longer need to seek fullness by gratifying our flesh, following the devil, or the allurements of this world. No more do people have to live life attempting to get all the life they can before they die, to acquire more and more possessions, to fill their empty hearts with empty things, but instead, those who become believers in Christ have fullness from Christ in themselves to give to others.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
“...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4:11-14
Believers all down through history have found this fullness from God. Examine this fullness for God’s people in the following texts.
“Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full [of years], and was gathered to his people.” Genesis 25:8
In the above verse, notice that the words "of years" were added by the translators. Abraham died not empty but full.
David, the shepherd boy who became king, sang, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5
So, Abraham died "old and full," and David's cup "overflowed" for this has been the condition of all believers down through every age, all in anticipation of Him Who would come, empty Himself and die, at Golgotha, that we might live and be full.
Isabel writes, "What love was this! He gave His all, holding nothing back, He became poor that I might be rich. He became sin that I might be righteous. The Holy Mighty Eternal God loved me so much; I can thank Him by presenting my body a living sacrifice in worship and love."
Ricky writes, "He emptied Himself and made Himself nothing - what physical and spiritual connotations. The only Being ever to be completely man and completely God, Who was full of the knowledge and wisdom of the entire universe, allowed His blood to be drained and His throne to be empty so that we could be filled with His Spirit. I apprehend it, but will never, ever comprehend it. Thank you, my beautiful Savior!"